I can’t believe this blog is almost 4 years old. Yep – can you believe it? This April will mark 4 years since I took list-making to a whole new level! ListProducer.com has always had the same look and I loved it. But I think it’s time for a change…something new…something brighter and something better! So starting Monday — ListProducer.com will look different.

This original look is something that I threw together with a graphic designer friend but now that my book is out and I’m hoping to build this site into so much more – it’s time for a makeover! Yay! Oh wait — I hate change. It’s true – I have a really hard time switching gears when something has served me well. I was the kid who never wanted to switch teachers or desks at school.

Even though I’ve done great up until now with this site and my natural tendency is to say “it’s fine, why change it?” – it’s time to outsource and upgrade. I’m so thrilled that my path crossed with Cass McCory’s from Capra Strategy who is helping me with this redesign and transition. She’s also a list maker! And she totally gets me. So it was a much easier decision than usual.

Although redoing my website had been on my “want list” for quite some time it was one thing that I was putting off. If you’ve been doing the same — this checklist is for you! Cass wrote it up for us — in list form of course:

A Checklist for a Website Redesign

by Cass McCrory

Are you ready to have your website re-done professionally? Here are 5 tips to identify if you’re ready and what to do next…

1. Does your website impact your ability to make money in your business? The answer to this question is always yes, you just may not know HOW. When you work with a vendor they should be able to help you identify revenue streams from your website and suggest ways to optimize for the best result. If they can’t do that, they’re probably not the right vendor for you.

2. There’s a tipping point where your time is better spent doing what YOU do best rather than figuring out how to make your website do something you need it to do. A good rule of thumb: if you’re spending more than 10 hours on something and struggling it’s better to go to a pro – that 10 hours can make a big impact if you’re doing what you do best.

3. Question to ask your vendor: Can I edit it when you’re done? This is a really important question because you’ve been doing it on your own up to this point and you do not want your hands to be tied in updating your site moving forward. A reputable vendor will make sure that you can take it from here, and always be available as a back-up.

4. Another question for your vendor: When can we meet? Bigger agencies will work standard business hours, but if you’re just starting out and juggling a full-time job along with your passion project you may need someone that can talk live after-hours. Ask the question upfront. While email communication is great sometimes you need to talk live to effectively communicate what you want.

5. You get what you pay for. Can your cousin’s son create a new website for you? Yes. Yes, he probably can. But will it be a great website for you? It might be, and it might not be. Looking around at other websites that you like and inquiring about who did their work is a great place to start.

BONUS TIP: Are you looking for a fresh design, new logo, the works? Spend a few weeks thinking about your target audience and what will appeal to them – identify magazines they’d read, places they’d like to shop and what they’re striving for. Start a Pinterest board for inspiration and provide this to your vendor, it will really help them kick-off a design project on the right foot.